19 March, 2016

Petreaus and Kelleys

Jill Kelley filed the Privacy Act lawsuit in 2013, charging that the FBI and Pentagon leaked personal information about her via Alan Raul of Chicago-based law firm Sidley Austin, Raul and other Sidley lawyers who have asked U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson to excuse them from the case.
The withdrawal request followed a proposal from the Kelleys’ side that the U.S. government pay $4.35 million to settle the suit reported arch 18. The feds apparently rejected the offer.

[March 4 2015 John Allen says the United States has not ruled out a no-fly zone or protected corridor in Syria ]

a man with four stars on his collar leading U.S. forces in Afghanistan just one year ago

The retired Marine general in charge of mobilizing an international coalition against the group that calls itself the Islamic State (IS) says that the United States has not ruled out a no-fly zone or protected corridor in Syria to safeguard the thousands of fighters it intends to train to help defeat the militant group.

“All those things are under consideration,” John Allen told an audience the evening of March 2 at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank. On 13 September 2014, The United States appointed General Allen as Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
One would think a man with four stars on his collar leading U.S. forces in Afghanistan just one year ago would have no problem working with military leadership in the fight against militants of the so-called Islamic State at present.
One derides Allen as “a boy scout.” Another, noting his new role as a quasi-diplomat though he’s never been one, said “I don’t know how that’s going to work.”
For many of the military’s top leaders it seems, having a retired general like Allen outside of the military chain-of-command reporting to Obama is a sign of White House “micromanagement.” It also offers the possibility of conflicting messages between State and the Pentagon in the fight against ISIL. more below

[March 3]

He also serves as a Visiting Professor of Public Policy at CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College, and as a Judge Widney Professor at the Univ of Southern California

“The criminal Information charges the defendant with one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1924,” Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi said in a statement. “The plea agreement and corresponding statement of facts, both signed by the defendant, indicate that he will plead guilty to the one-count criminal Information.” General David Petraeus is arguably the most consequential U.S. military leader since World War II.

[January 10 Feds recommend arresting David Petraeus, no final decision]
Holder said during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “The determination has yet to be made. And we will just see how things play out before any final decision is made.”

Federal prosecutors are recommending felony charges against retired Gen. David Petraeus over classified information they say he provided to his biographer and mistress, Paula Broadwell

55 Author follows General through Afghanistan

He also serves as a Visiting Professor of Public Policy at CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College, and as a Judge Widney Professor at the Univ of Southern California

The U.S.-led fight against Islamic State will take years and will need ground forces to succeed, retired General David Petraeus said. Petraeus, 61, served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2011 to 2012 and is now chairman of KKR Global Institute, an investment management firm. Under General (Ret.) David Petraeus as Chairman and Vance Serchuk as Executive Director, KGI integrates the macroeconomic analyses of KKR’s Global Macro and Asset Allocation Team led by Henry McVey and the Public Policy & Public Affairs, stakeholder engagement, and environmental, social, and governance work of KKR’s Global Public Affairs Team led by Ken Mehlman. KKR Co-Chairman and Co-CEO Henry Kravis, KKR Co-Chairman and Co-CEO George Roberts. In 1987, Jerome Kohlberg, Jr. resigned from KKR over differences in strategy, and Henry Kravis and George Roberts assumed full leadership of the firm.

[Earlier buzz] Roger Ailes suggested that Petraeus run for President. .. General David Petraeus was seen as a real future presidential candidate until he was hidden at the CIA until the day after the election when it was leaked he was having an affair and unceremoniously fired.below

[September 16 Jill Kelley can go to trial against FBI and Defense Department]

Gen. John R. Allen, who commanded U.S. forces in Afghanistan, was in line to become supreme allied commander in Europe

U..S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson denied the Motion to Dismiss and Kelley can press her claim that the FBI and Defense Department violated her privacy when officials allegedly leaked information about her to the news media.According to court filings by Kelley’s attorneys, the government falsely told one news outlet the emails between Allen and Kelley were the equivalent of phone sex. The lawyers argued that given the prurient nature of the investigation and the “other woman” narrative propounded by the leakers, it was likely that Kelley’s treatment was motivated by sexual discrimination. The Pentagon’s inspector general exonerated Allen, who subsequently retired.

[January 6 Jill Kelley’s suit gains support]

Mrs. Petraeus and Kelleys

Kelley was banned from the Tampa Air Force base and stripped of her honorary title as consul to South Korea.

“Just because you’re stalked by a mistress doesn’t mean you are one,” Kelley told the New York Times. “It’s not contagious.”

Kelley and her attorneys said the lawsuit touched on an array of issues: what the government can access, how it disseminates information about private citizens, whether it protects people who report crimes, what constitutes leaking and the laws governing public records.

“Here, the government did not adhere to its own standards for avoiding electronic intrusion into innocent citizens’ lives,” said Alan Charles Raul, an attorney for the Kelleys. “Instead, they turned around and blamed the victim.”

In a lawsuit that is half legal document and half news release, Kelley seeks damages and a formal apology from the government for revealing her identity after she reported to the FBI what she assumed was a crime: threatening emails sent by a woman with whom Petraeus, then director of the CIA, was having an affair. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is also an attempt by Kelley to tell her side of a story she says was distorted, leaving her family as collateral damage.

A spokesman for the FBI, Michael P. Kortan, declined to comment on specifics of the case, citing the continuing litigation. But the government has asked the court to toss the suit.

[September 25]
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration September 24 sought dismissal of a privacy lawsuit by Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, whose complaint to the FBI unwittingly led to Gen. David Petraeus’ ouster as CIA director.

If a federal judge eventually allows Kelley’s lawsuit to proceed, the case could delve into the roles played in the scandal by the FBI, the Pentagon and other parts of the administration.

Kelley had hosted military officials from MacDill Air Force Base — including Petraeus while he led Central Command — at her Bayshore Boulevard mansion.

The Justice Department said that Kelley has failed to present any facts suggesting that the FBI and the Pentagon flagrantly disregarded her privacy rights.

“A bare allegation” that information was retrieved from government files is insufficient, the Justice Department saidThe FBI and the Pentagon have exempted several of their record systems from the Privacy Act. Kelley and her husband, Scott, also a plaintiff in the case, fail to say whether the leaked information was in a system subject to the Privacy Act, the government said.

TAMPA — Attorneys had gathered in a conference room to question the Tampa socialite who had unwittingly triggered the scandal that ended the career of CIA director David Petraeus.

Jill Kelley’s house is in foreclosure, and Kelley appeared at a June 26 deposition in the case.

But Kelley refused to be sworn in, a Regions Bank attorney said. Then she refused to testify, departing with her attorney.

“They’re actually leaving the room now and not even listening to me on the record,” said Regions attorney Peter Hargitai at the deposition, according to a transcript.

Kelley and her husband, Dr. Scott Kelley, have refused to testify in the foreclosure case on their posh Bayshore Boulevard home. The couple say a Regions lawyer is threatening to question them about the Petraeus scandal and then release a transcript to the media.

Jill Kelley said in court papers that Hargitai told her, “This deposition is going to be all over the news.” The lawyer denied making any threats.

“Plaintiff appears determined to try this matter in the media,” a motion by the Kelleys’ attorney said.

The couple have demanded that opposing counsel agree to keep any transcript of their testimony sealed, providing no copies to the media or any third party.

Hargitai has refused, though he told the court he has no intention of giving it to the media. But if the deposition is filed in court, it would become available to anyone who wants a copy.

“A deposition is a public record,” Hargitai told the Tampa Bay Times in a brief interview.

The attorney said a Hillsborough Circuit Court judge is soon expected to file an order compelling the Kelleys to sit down for a deposition by Sept. 15. Neither the Kelleys nor their attorney, Benjamin Hillard, returned messages seeking comment.

An order has not yet been issued, according to the online docket of the case. The next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Kelley inadvertently ended Petraeus’ career as CIA director.

A $2.1 million foreclosure case involving an office building formerly owned by Tampa socialite Jill Kelley and her husband, Scott, was settled Monday, according to the judge overseeing it.

The case had been scheduled to go to trial Aug. 12 before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella. Settlement terms were not disclosed, which is typical in civil cases, and attorneys for the parties could not be reached for comment.

A pretrial hearing had been scheduled Monday, but the Kelleys and attorneys did not appear as settlement talks concluded.

The Kelleys bought the property using their corporation, Kelley Land Holdings. Jill Kelley is currently listed as the corporation’s managing partner.

The bank said the fair market value of the property is about $1.4 million. Once that is applied to the loan, the Kelleys owed the bank more than $700,000 with interest adding $109 per day, according to a September 2011 court filing. The balance due currently was not immediately clear Monday.

That figure also did not include attorney fees.

[September 12]
Retired Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, former CIA director under President Barack Obama, called strongly Saturday for Congress to back the White House on Syria, declaring that military action against the regime is “necessary” to deter “Iran, North Korea and other would-be aggressors.”

Jill Kelley, the Tampa socialite entangled in the scandal that toppled former CIA director David Petraeus.

The Justice Department has asked for a 30-day extension, until Sept. 4, to respond to her lawsuit against the government for violating her family’s privacy, rifling through her e-mails and leaking confidential information about her.

And Kelley is fine with the extension, says her lawyer, Alan Raul.

[May 20]

Petraeus will serve in a consultant’s role

Retired army general David Petraeus will take a new job with investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. KKR did not detail terms of its agreement with Petraeus, but a spokeswoman said he will serve in a consultant’s role
[November 27 2012]

Former Prime Minister of South Korea Han Duk Soo

The state Department of Motor Vehicles has been informed by the U.S. Department of State that Jill Kelley no longer qualifies for an honorary consul license plate, according to a spokesman.

“We received word from the U.S. Department of State that her status” as an honorary consul for South Korea “has been terminated,”

The South Korean official who made it possible for Jill Kelley to be appointed honorary consul was Han Duk-soo, currently head of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and South Korean ambassador to the United States until February.

The official categorically denied that there was any inappropriate relationship between Han, a former Prime Minister and Jill Kelley. He said Kelley showed Han in their meetings a strong willingness to work for the improvement of U.S.-South Korean economic relations. He didn’t elaborate.
Han Duk-Soo was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) from 2007 until February 2008. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association.
Just before leaving the United States, he asked the South Korean consulate office in Atlanta to consider appointing Kelley honorary consul, citing her active role in organizing public events promoting an ambitious, hard-fought free trade agreement between Seoul and Washington and in arranging meetings between the ambassador and influential politicians and businessmen in Tampa.
[November 21]
[Nov 17]

Jill Kelley, “honorary ambassador” to the coalition in Tampa Florida

Talya Khawam and host

In emails with her ex-husband, Khawam wrote that Senator Kerry asked about the son and whether he would be coming to Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 2012.

She also wrote that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island invited the son to a summer clambake in the state, and that the son “would greatly appreciate attending this family clambake.”

Included in the court file is what appears to be a handwritten note from Whitehouse, writing, “I am excited to hear that you, Natalie and (the son) may be coming to the family clambake. That would be terrific!”

The Whitehouse note was addressed to Gerald Harrington.

Harrington served as national vice chairman of finance for Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, according to a biography posted on the website of Harrington’s lobbying firm, Capitol City Group.

A spokeswoman for Kerry said Kerry was introduced to Khawam by Harrington, whom the spokeswoman described as Khawam’s boyfriend.

A spokesman for Whitehouse also said Whitehouse knew Khawam through her relationship with Harrington, whom Whitehouse has known since college. “Ms. Khawam attended the Senator’s clambake fundraiser this summer as Mr. Harrington’s guest, and he was glad to see them there,” the spokesman said.

[November 16]

Jill Kelly offered to broker a deal with the South Korean government for
Adam Victor, president and CEO of TransGas Development Systems, “that they were essentially doing a favor for General Petraeus, and that she had access solely because of her relationship with General Petraeus.”
Victor said he thought it made sense that Petraeus would want to put a trusted aide in charge of promoting free trade. When Kelley named her fee for brokering the deal, however, Victor balked. The coal gasification plants under discussion were worth $4 billion, said Victor — and Kelley wanted a two percent cut. “That’s an $80 million fee,” he said. “And I mean that is problematic . . . No broker gets $80 million. I mean that’s two whole orders of magnitude higher than what they would get.”

Victor said he “terminated the relationship” after Kelley asked for $80 million
[November 15]

it turns out the FBI agent who started the investigation sent topless photos of himself to Jill Kelley, the alleged other woman. The agent in question was apparently a friend of Kelley’s.
General John Allen has been in Afghanistan as the top American commander since July 2011, although before that he lived in Tampa as the deputy commander for Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East.

The defense official said that the Pentagon had received the 20,000 to 30,000 pages of documents from the F.B.I. and was currently reviewing them. Some of the e-mails may have prompted suspicions among FBI investigators because Allen sometimes used words such as “sweetheart” to refer to her, the senior official said.

An official said the coalition countries represented aty Central Command gave Kelley an appreciation certificate on which she was referred to as an “honorary ambassador” to the coalition, but she has no official status and is not employed by the U.S. government. Kelley, 37, hails from a Lebanese family that emigrated to Philadelphia in the mid-1970s.
Her parents, John and Marcelle Khawam, had businesses in the area, including a restaurant in Voorhees. The couple still live in Washington Crossing, Bucks County, according to public records, and Kelley’s older brother, David, is a lawyer in South Jersey. His office also lists lawyer Jill M Tribulas, in practice 11 years
Jill Khawam and her twin sister, Natalie, were the youngest of four children. Born in Lebanon, Jill is of Maronite Christian descent and speaks Arabic. Maronite Christians were allies of Israel in the Lebanese Civil War/Lebanon invasion.)
About a decade ago, both women moved to Tampa, where Jill’s husband, Scott Kelley, works as a surgeon.
Natalie Khawam, a lawyer and single mother, lives with them, according to a bankruptcy petition she filed earlier this year.
Just three months after they posed with David and Holly Petraeus, strands of Gasparilla beads hanging from their necks, the Kelleys were hit with a foreclosure lawsuit.
The suit, brought by Central Bank against Maronite Christians were allies of Israel in the Lebanese Civil War/Lebanon invasion.) Kelleys and Kelly Land Holdings, centered on a three-story office building at 300 E Madison St. in downtown Tampa. Court records show they owed the bank nearly $2.2 million, including attorney fees
Since the Kelleys have been in Tampa, records show, one or both have been subjects of lawsuits nine times — including an $11,000 judgment against them that originated in Pennsylvania.
Ongoing cases, the court records show, include an indebtedness case from Chase Bank; a foreclosure case from Regions Bank; and a credit card case from FIA Card Services.
The Kelleys have hired Abbe Lowell, a Washington lawyer who has represented clients such as former presidential candidate John Edwards and lobbyist Jack Abramoff. And the couple are employing crisis PR person Judy Smith, who has represented big names like Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick and Kobe Bryant.

[November 10]

Author follows General through Afghanistan

General David Petraeus is arguably the most consequential U.S. military leader since World War II. Broadwell’s excellent biography portrays him as a modern exemplar of the soldier-scholar-statesman and one who has exerted a profound influence on the American military establishment
Petraeus emerges from Broadwell’s book as an educated, committed, competitive, driven, and inspiring figure.Foreign Affairs

“This is the best book yet on General David Petraeus, written by a remarkable former Army officer who spent months on the ground in Afghanistan herself. Paula Broadwell captures his basic tenets of counterinsurgency and basic approach to leadership-as well as Petraeus’s personal qualities and character-in a highly readable and pithy fashion. No one gives a truer picture of the war, or of the finest general of this era and one of the greatest in modern American history.”
(-Michael O’Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution )

“All In vividly demonstrates the influence General David Petraeus has had on a whole generation of military officers-showing by the force of his personal example what it means to be tough, loyal, committed, and smart. Paula Broadwell takes readers into the briefing rooms and onto the battlefields to better understand the lessons and sacrifices of America’s wars.”
(-Nathaniel Fick, New York Times bestselling author of One Bullet Away )